merg-enthaler



17 Sheets-Sheet l.

Patented Mar. 3,

N. PEYEHS. PncmLmwgnplwr. Weinmann. D'A c.

e MBRGENTHALER MACHINE FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS.

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- MACHINE FOR PRUDUGING fRINTING BARS. No. 313,224. Patented Ma,1-.`3, 1885.

A Harney N. PETERS. PhumLnhngmpl-mr. washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 17 Sheets-Sheet 3,

O. MERGENTHALER.

MAGHINBPOR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS.

No. 313,224. Patented Mar. 3,.1885.

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0. MERGENTHLER. A MACHINE FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS. No. 313,224. PatentedMar. 3; 1885. ly 1529-6 ,a

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MACHINE FOR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS.

Patented. Mar. 3

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um model.) 17 Sheets-Sheet 6. O. MERGENTHALER.

MACHINE FORPRODUGING'PRIVNTING BARS. No. 313, 2 4. Patented Mar. s, 1885..

JL PETERS, Pmbuogwnpmr. washingmn D C.

17 Shets-Sheet 7.

Patented Mar. s, 1885.

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MACHINE POR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS. i ZNO. 313,224. Patented Mar. 3, 1885.

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17 Sheets-Sheet 8.

(No Model.)

f 17 sheets-sheet Q. 0. MERGENTHALER.

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS.

Patented Mar. 3, 1885.

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MACHINE FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS.

Patented Mar. 3

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.N. PETERS. Plpuwuxhngnplwr. washing (No Model.) 17 sheets-sheet 11.

0. MERGENTHALER. MACHINE F011 PROIJUCING PRINTING BARS. No. 313,224. Patented 3, 1885.

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N. PETERS. Pnam-Lillmgmpher. wnshmgwn, D C.

17- Sheets-Sheet l2.

(No Model.) I I O. MERGBNTHALER.

MACHINE FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS.

Patented Mar. 3, ,1885.l

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A 17 Sheets.-Sheet 13. l 0. MBRGENTHALER.

MACHINE FOR PRODUGING .PRINTING B ARS. No. 313,224.

- Patelntec Mar. 3, 1885.

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MACHINE POR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS. No. 313,224. Patented Mar. s, 1885.

W//l/ESSES E mw y 1 w A Harney {Ho Model.)

MACHINE' FOR PRODUGING PRINTING BARS. N0. 313,224.

(No Mo'ael.) 17 Sheets-Sheet 16.

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MACHINE POR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS. l Y No. 313,224. Patented Mar. 3,1885.

(No Model.)

17 sneaks-heet 1v. O. MERGENTHALER. A MACHINE POR PRODUCING PRINTING BARS. N0. 313,224.,

Patented Mar. 3

Affari/ey OTTMAR MERGENTHALER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHIC COMPANY, OF WEST .VIRGINIA MACHINE FOR PRODUCING PRINTING-BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,224, dated March 3, 1885.

` Applicalirn tiled August 30, 1884. (No model To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTTMAR MERGENTHA- LER, of Baltimore, in the State ot' Maryland,

have invented ce1-tain Improvements in Machines for Producing Printing-Bars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is directed to the rapid and economical production of letter-press printing, and relates to a machine to be driven by io power, and controlled by finger-keys, adapted to produce printing forms or relief surfaces ready for immediate use, thus avoiding the usual operation 'of type-setting. and also the more recent plan of preparing by machinery matrices from which to cast the forms.

By the use ot' my machine the operator is enabled to produce with great rapidity printing-bars bearing in relief the selected characters in the sequence and arrangement in which 2o they are to be printed. In short, the 4machine will produce printing forms or surfaces properlyjustilied, and adapted to be used in the same manner and with precisely the same results as the printing-forms composed ot' movable type.-

My machine embraces two leading groups of mechanism: first, those which form a teniporary and changing matrix representing a number ot words, and, second, those by which 3o molten or plastic material is delivered to the matrix and discharged therefrom in the form of printing-bars. These two groups, which will, for convenience of reference, be hereinafter designated as the matrix mechanism77 and the casting mechanism,77 are so combined that the casting of one-bar may be carried on while the characters are being designated and the devices adjusted to adapt the matrix for the production ot' the next bar,

4o whereby time is economized and the capacity of the machine greatly increased. The matrix mechanism resembles in many respects the printing mechanism described and shown in my application for Letters Patent iiled on the 9th day of lIuly, 1884, No. 137,225, but diiers therefrom, among other things, in having intaglio instead of cameo characters. The matrix mechanism embraces a series of parallel longitudinal bars or carriers, each containing 5o at one edge a series of letters or characters, (one or more entire alphabets, if demanded,)

and also blank portions representing spaces between the words. These bars are adjustable indepently so as to bring the selected characters, one on each bar, side by side ina single line, and so also as to bring the blank spaces ot' the appropriate bars between the groupsV of characters forming words, the series of bars thus adjusted presenting jointly a matrix adapted for the formation of a line of 6C characters or words properly punctuated and justified. The bars are lifted mechanically to their normal position after the formation of each cast, and descending by gravity when released, are arrested, respectively, by stop- 6.5 pins, at the different points required to bring the selected characters in a common line. The stop-pins, of which there is a vertical row for each printing-bar, are set for action by adj usting-pins which are in turn operated by the fin- 7o ger-keys. The ad j usting-pins are mounted in a laterally-movable frame so as to be presented to the stop-pins of the various matrix-bars in succession, as in my previous machine. The stop-pins are mounted in aframe movable forward and backward, and combined with devices by which they are first moved backward, after being adjusted, in order to arrest the bars, and subsequently moved forward and restored to their original positions preparatory 8o tothe designation ol' the characters for another line. After the matrix-bars are stopped in their descent, a pin is thrust through holes in the entire series to bring the selected characters in approximate alignment, after which a transverse blade enters notches in the backs of the bars, and at the same time clamping devices act to close the bars together and confine them in the `precise position desired,l thus completing the temporary matrix. 9o A sectional mold of the form ot' the required printing-bar closes adjacent to the matrixbars with its open side in intimate contact therewith opposite the line of selected characters. A force-pump acting in connection with 9'5 a melting-pot and heater delivers type-metal into the mold and matrix. As soon as the metal has become sufficiently hardened, the mold opens and the printing-bar is delivered therefrom. In due course the various parts roo assume their normal positions and again opcrate, as described, to complete, the next bar.

While the casting of one bar is in progress, immediately after their descent, and while the matrix-bars are locked in their adjusted position, the stop pins are disconnected from the bars and restored to their normal positions, so that the manipulation of the keys may be continued in the meanwhile to set the stop-pins for the arrest of the matrixbars to prod ucc lthe matrix for a second line, this action being also somewhat similar to that in my previous machine.

To permit the correction of errors caused by the striking of an improper key, means are provided for instantly restoring the ad- 15 justing-pins, stop-pins, and indicator'to their primary positions. so that action may be commenced anew. The matrix-bars are tapered laterally from end to end, are arranged alternately with their wide and their narrow ends uppermost, and have the characters arranged thereon in the order of their width. At suitable intervals in the length of the bar, blank portions, before alluded to as spacingsurfaces, are provided, these surfaces varying in width according to their diiiereut locations upon the bar.

An indicating mechanism of novel character is provided, to show the space remaining to be filled in each line after all the characters allowable therein have been designated.

Special devices are provided to operate in connection with spacing-keys, so that a given space remaining to be filled at the end of a line may be taken up by causing those matrixbars which have been designated to present blank spaces iu the line to advance and present blank spaces of such width as may in each case be demanded. An alarm mechanism of improved form is also provided to give warning when a line is completely filled, and also a preliminary warning when there remains only a given space to be iilled.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of the preceding figure, looking in a downward direction. Fig. 4 1s a vertical section from front to rear on the line 3 3 of Fig. 3, showing particularly the key mechanism, the matrix-bars. and the intermediate devices by which the keys are caused to arrest the bars at the proper points. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side view and a rear view of a matrix-bar having the wide end uppermost. and the devices for sustaining .the same. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views of a matrix-bar having its narrow end uppermost and its, sustaining devices. Fig. 9 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, ofa portion of one of the matrix-bars, showing the relative arrangement of the characters and the spacingsuriaces. Fig. 10 is a cross-section on the line 1515 of Fig. -5, showingthe construction of the joints by which the link`s for suspending the matrix-bars are united to said bars and to the supporting-heads.

Fig. 1l is a horizontal Asection on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1, looking in a downward direction and showing particularly the mechanism for aligning and clamping the matrix-bars, and the arrangement of the casting apparatus. Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, showing the escapement and attendant devices by 'which the spacing or justication of the lines is effected after the selection of a suitable number of characters, various parts having no particular relation to those named being omitted. Fig. 12 is a front view ofthe spacing-keys and their connections with the ratchet mechanism. Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the line l5 15 of Figs. 1,12, and 14. Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the devices shown in the two preceding figures. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the machine, showing the manner inv which the keys are connected to the counting or indicating dcvice, the frame carrying the adjusting-pins, and the devices for the correctionot' the spacing, other parts being omitted in order to avoid confusion. Fig. 16 is a side elevation, partly in section on the line 4 4 of Figs. 3 and 11, showing more especially the arrangement of the movable frame which carries the adjusting-pins and the escapement and its connections for correcting the spacing of the lines. Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the hand-lever and conuectionsshown in the preceding figure,` for the purpose of restoring the parts to their primary condition, in order to permit the correction of errors. Fig. 18 is a cross-section on the line 5 5 of the preceding tlgure. Figs. 19, 20, 21, and 22 are elevations, partlyin section, showing the frame in which the stop-pins are sustained and the devices employed for shifting the same to secure the necessary action and restoration of the pins, the respective views showing the parts in the different positions which they assume from time to time. Figs. 23 and 24 are vertical sections through the top ot' the adjusting-pin frame from front to rear, illustrating the manner in which the retracting devices engage the pins. Fig. 25 is a top plan view showing the notches in which the matrix-bars are mounted, the adjusting-pin frame,and the bar by which those matrix-bars which are not called into action are prevented from descending. Fig. 26 is a diagram in the nature of a vertical section from front to rear, showing the action of the adj Listing-pins and stop-pins to arrest the descent ot those matrix-bars which have their small ends uppermost. Fig. 27 vis a similar View showing the bars which have their large ends uppermost. Fig. 28 is a horizontal crosssection on the line 10 10 ofthe two preceding iigures and of Fig. 4, showing particularly the long and shortstop-pins to arrest, respectively,` the bars having the narrow end uppermost and the bars having the wide end uppermost. Fig. 2S) is a horizontal section on the line 12 12 of Figs. 1, 15,' and 30, showing the details of the counting and the alarm devices. Fig. 30 is a front elevation of the same with a portion shown in vertical section on the line 13 13. Fig. 31 is a vertical section from front IIO to rear on the line 14 14 of Fig. 29. Fig. 32 is a vertical cross-section'on the line 17 17 of Figs. 1, 11 and 33, showing the devices for effecting the preliminary alignment ot' the pressure is applied to the matrix-bars.

matrix-bars and for clamping said bars together laterally. Fig. 33 is a cross-section on the line 18 1S of the preceding figure. Fig. 34 isa vertical cross-section on the line 7 7 of Figs. 1 and l1, illustrating more particularly t-he construction and operation of the separable mold, the devices for opening and closing the same, and the location of the devices by which t-he molten metal is forcibly delivered into the mold. Fig. 35 is a front elevation of the mold proper. Fig. 36 is an end elevation of the upper portion of the mold and the guide on which it slides. Fig. 37 is an under face View ot' the same. Fig. 38 is a side elevation ofthe same looking in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 36. Fig. 39 is an end elevation ot' the lower portion of the mold and its guide. Figs. 40 and 41 are rcspectively a front elevation and a top plan View of the same. Figs. 42 and 43 are respectively an end view and a side elevation ot' one of the clamps, by which the lateral Fig. 44 is a vertical cross-section from front to rear on thel line S S of Figs. 11 and 34, showing the relative positions ot' the mold and the matrixbars and the conductor for supplying the molten metal to the mold, thel parts being in the position which they occupy during the casting of the printing-bar. Fig. 45 is a vertical section from front to rear through the base portion ofthe machine on the line 8 8 of Figs. 11 and 34, showing more fully the arrangement of the matrix-bars, the aligning and clamping devices, the mold, and the pump for delivering the metal to the mold. Fig. 46 is an elevation, partly in section, on the line 19 19 ot' Fig. 1l, showing the clutch mechanism through which motion is communicated to the operative parts, and the hand-lever by which the action ol the clutch is inaugurated. Fig. 47 is an elevation of the cam and lever, by which the raising and lowering of the matrix-bars is eli'ected. Fig. 48 is a front View of part of the main frame, showing the shifting weights. Fig. 49 is a top view of the clamp-operating levers, showing the yielding devices. Fig. 50 is a top plan'view of the clamps and mold in an open and in a closed position. Fig.,51 is'a perspective view of a matrix-bar in two parts.

Principal parta-Referring to the drawings, A represents the rigid main frame, which may be of any suitable form; B B', the verticallyreciprocating matrix-bars; C,-the suspending links for said bars; D, the head/strom which the links are suspended; E, suspending chains or bands passing t'rom the heads ot' the alternate matrixbars, which have their wide ends uppermost, over pulleys and downward to slides F; G G', the stop-pins to arrest the movement of the matrix-bars; H,theframe in which the stoppins are mounted, movable forward and backreleased from the stop-pins and lifting-heads;

R, a horizontal slide to sustain those matrixbars which are not called into action; S, the counter or indicator; T, the alarm; U, the finger-key for ordinary spacing; V, a bar provided with slides to effect additional spacing or justification; X X, the mold; Y, the melting-pot; Z, the lever by which the automatic mechanisms are set in motion.

IVIatrix-bars.-ln proceeding to construct my machine I tirst provide as fundamental elements the series of matrix-bars B B,the number of which should equal the maximum number ofcharacters and spaces to appear on any one printing-bar. These matrix-bars consist each of a metal striptapered laterally from one end to the other,'and provided in one edge with the series of recessed or intaglio characters a, and also with one or more blank spacing-surfaces, b. It is preferred to provide the bars, as shown in Figs. 6 to 10, with transverse grooves or recesses, and to locate the characters in the bottoms of these recesses; but the characters may be formed directly in the edge of the bar. There may be any desired number of characters in each bar-for example, one .or more complete alphabets, together with the numerals, punctuation-marks, and symbols in common use. The characters are disposed in a single column lengthwise of the bar, and in position to be read transversely thereof', as shown, this arrangement permitting single characters on adjacent bars to be assembled in position to read as a singleline. The characters are arranged in the bar in the order of their width, the narrowest characters at the thin end, so that each occupies substantially the entire width ofthe bar at the point where it is located. This construction permits anyv character ot' any bar to-be brought in close relation to any character on an adjoining bar, and thus secures the proper width and uniformity of spacing between characters in the same word. The intermediate spacing-surfaces are also arranged in the order of their width, so that any bar may be caused to present a4 wide ora narrow space at the aligning point as occasion may demand. The distribution of the spacing-surfaces between the characters is of importance, in that it permits the spaces to be made of the various widths demanded without destroying the uniformity in thetaper ot' the bars, which would prevent the bars from being closed tightly together under all adjustments at the aligning point. When the spaces are arranged as shown, the

bars may, under every adjustment demanded, v

be closed together so tightly as to prevent the IOO IIO 

